Borough Seeks Snow Money From FEMA

WEST LONG BRANCH -- The borough is seeking about $50,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with the costs of the winter snow that fell in December and since, the council announced at its last meeting.An estimated $120,000 total costs figure has been projected which includes the December and 2011 season. Help from the state may also be forthcoming.In other West Long Branch Council news:• A stricter enforcement of leaf pickup and brush pickup schedules is being implemented as of March 15 through May 15 for leaves and May 15 through Oct. 15 for brush, according to Councilman Steven Cioffi.If leaves and brush are placed curbside outside the scheduled days they will not be picked. In addition, a notice of violation will be issued by the borough code enforcement officer.Mayor Janet Tucci said the ordinance to be enforced had been relaxed to accommodate residents in the past. But the economic pressures of recent years have meant fewer department of public works resources are available, so tighter adherence to the rules is needed.The leaf and brush guidelines apply to contractors as well. Residents are responsible for contractors following the rules. All contractors/landscapers must be registered with the borough clerk's office prior to performing services in the borough.• The ongoing police dispatch sharing discussions with Oceanport are still in progress. The matter began as a cost cutting, efficiency measure many months ago.  It remains under study, with discussion in executive session. There has been no public involvement beyond knowing what the matter is has been made available.  The matter was pursued as a cost saver, municipal shared services, which seemed feasible when first introduced.• The Eatontown Planning Board application to add a parking facility to provide for new car inventory storage includes adding an access road that would run into traffic-heavy Parker Road in adjacent West Long Branch.  Residents in West Long Branch and the governing body have raised objections based on increased traffic they expect, and for aesthetics reasons, lights being one.The matter had been scheduled for the Feb. 14 Eatontown Planning Board meeting, but has been put off for testimony until Feb. 28.Borough Attorney Greg Baxter said the petition several residents filed with Eatontown will not be used, since opposition signers need to be available to testify and be questioned in person. That is standard operating procedures for such situations.• The WLB Enterprises owner of the property at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Monmouth Road – the once University Cleaners site – is seeking a statement from the borough that it will go along with use of the property for customer parking. It is a difficult situation, because access through the lot itself is used by the borough DPW, the fire department. The proposed new Turkish deli that WLB Enterprises wishes to open also wants to use the lot for access and parking.  An easement is not expected from the borough, just an assurance the town will not object to the parking or close off parts of the area.• Councilman Tom DeBruin has been investigating the viability of solar panels at the new police department. The potential project is part of the West Long Branch Green Team's work to save money and clean up the environment. Economic trade-offs have become more attractive as technology and other cost-cutting aspects of sustainability projects have come to reality in recent years.The elements being considered are electricity use and costs, as well as solar equipment purchase costs and maintenance costs over time. Councilman DeBruin said his preliminary look needs further refinement from a cost perspective, and there would have to be more solar panel mounting surfaces made available.Councilman DeBruin said the police building could have car ports constructed that would allow for roofs to mount additional required panels. The car ports would also provide added weather protection for the building.  The solar energy capabilities may be a positive economic advantage as well, with the potential of electricity costs being reduced to zero, or even generating revenue. Further study is in progress, DeBruin said.• The council meeting was preceded by an informal meeting of Mayor Janet Tucci with four Cub Scouts from Spartans Pack 145. They interviewed the mayor as a part of earning their Webelos badge, a stepping stone in scouting.One of the badge requirements is to complete a project to learn about local government, and good citizenship. Their questions of the mayor were timely and directed to matters presently under discussion by the borough.Mayor Tucci said she was pleased with the scouts' preparation and interests and congratulated them on their good work.